National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1887-06-27
where the Responsibility Ros,s

The second article OF the constitution OF
the United States prescrlbes the manner OF
the selection aud the powers and duties Of
the President. The third section reads as
follows:
"He shoU from time to time give to the
Congress Information OF the state OF the
Union, and recommend to their consiiera-
tion such measures as he shall Judge neces-
sary and expedient uo may, on extraord
mary occasions, convene both houses or
either OF them.n
1t will be observed that 1t is mandatory
duty (he shall) for the President to "from
time to time" give information to Congress,
while 1t is 'permissive" for him (he may
to convene Congress in extra session. The
power is given, to be exercised or not In
the discretion of the Executive. 1t is o
great trust committed to the President for
the benefit Of the people, aud he alone Is
responsible for its execution.
The trainers OF our organic law in formu-
lating that sentence she may, on extraor-
dinary occasions, convene both Houses, or
either of them," evidently hal two ileas
prominently fixed In their minds, besides
the one controlling thought that great
emergencies might demand immediate leg
islative action, and these were, that the
President Of the United States would al
ways have courage and discretion, aud
that he would always place the welfare Of
the people above every other consideration
Having these two ideas firmly implanted,
they said he may convene Congress.
A -. 4. -. I.I
to man. In certain events the welfare o!
the nation is entrusted to the discretion
and judgment OF the President. lie Is
made the judge as to what "eXtraordinary
occasion" would require that the repre-
sentatives Of the people and the states b..
called together to consider their iaterests.
| The responsibility is weighty one, aul l.
one Of those included in that solemn oath
which the President takes--"to the best OF
my ability, preserve, protect, and defeni
| the constitution of the United States"
Congress is empowered to provide TO-
the general welfare of the people by such
| suitable laws as 1t may consider needful;
but Congress not being in perpetual ses-
sion, the President is entrusted with poweI
i W Nv ohpuiu VIZ olAoS
requiring any legislation.
The duties and the responsibilities OF
each branch Of the government IN the cas-
of an emergency, as well as in ordinary
times, is clearly defined. The President Is
to convene Congress. Congress is to pro
vide against the emergency. The Pres'
dent cannot say ''it is useless for me t.
convene Congress; 1t will not act" Hi:
I duty is to convene 1t II the emergency ex
lists. There his responsibility ends. II
Congress fails or refuses to act, the Presi
dent is not responsible for the failure or re
fusal It's members are responsible to tn
people and the states whom they represent
The only question for the President Il
consider is, "FIas an Extraordinary oeca
SION arisen requiring legislative action p
What Congress may do, or fail to do, is no
for bin to consider or weigh.
That such an extraordinary occasion
exists now, is sgenerally conceded-it is ever
said that the President admits .t, but say
"Copgress would do nothing II calle'
together" That, even II 1t proves to b
correct, will not excuse his non action.